I have several older roosevelt dimes and proofs that have the milky white film forming on them. My question is can this film be safely removed or is the coin doomed to its fate? I am sure there has been a thread on this but I couldnt find it. I hate to clean BU coins but the film really makes them ugly IMO. Thanks for any tips or comments.
If I understand you correctly this film is on both Proof and business strike coins - is this correct ? The answer is important because while Proof coins are known for developing haze - that milky white film - business strike coins do not develop haze. So if both types of coins have the same look, then that would make me think the film is something entirely different than haze. So let me ask you - these coins, did you get them all from the same source at roughly the same time ? Your answers will tell me how to answer your questions about what to do about it.
Yes you are correct the haze is what im refering to on my proofs. I have a few others but I think its due to the older P/D mint packages they were housed in before I removed them. Can you do anything about the haze? Does it decrease the value of the coin alot? Sorry for the earlier confusuon GDJMSP.
The reason I'm asking the questions is this. If you got the coins, both Proof and BU, from the same source, and both types of coins have a similar milky film on them, then that would lead to believe that is possible the milky film is PVC contamination. That's because business strike coins are not known to develop this milky film - while Proofs are known to develop the milky film. So if it is on both types of coins, then it is likely that the film has a common cause. And the most common cause is PVC contamination. PVC contamination, in its early stages looks just like haze. If that were the case then acetone would be what you'd use to remove it on both types of coins. And it needs to be done ! However, if the film is on the Proofs only, then you would use a different product because acetone will not remove haze. You would use MS70. A qucik dip in MS70 removes the typical haze (the milky film) commonly seen on Proofs. MS70 is what many Proof coins are dipped in immediately before they are sent in for grading. This allows the coins to get the highest grade they can. However, Proof coins dipped in MS70 to remove the haze before grading are commonly known to develop that very same haze later on, after they are slabbed. It doesn't happen every single time, but it does happen more often than not. For this reason it has been my advice to people that if they have Proofs that have haze, to just sell or trade the coins off and get new ones that have no haze. You will be much happier in the end.
Question about the haze on proofs (original brown box Ikes). Is there anyway this haze could be valuable toning as it progresses? I've seen several with advanced milky white hazing with sudued rainbow colors.
Yes haze is a beginning stage of toning. If allowed to prgress it typically turns a blue shade. But it is a bit different than normal toning in that it has a somewhat opaque quality to it that not all find attractive. Others do. It's a chocolate and vanilla thing.
